Weird crystallization in ls1
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 68
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From: IL
Weird crystallization in ls1 Alright so I have an ls1 that I did a heads cam intake on last fall, I had it running for a couple days but never drove it due to the tune being off (injectors I had ended up being way big and couldnt get the tune right). Anyway since then it's been sitting in my driveway even through that crazy winter storm that was like -30 degrees. Today I went to start it with new injectors in and it turned half over and completely stopped. I tried turning it over by hand and it went 180 degrees left and stopped also. So I pulled the plugs and found that the cylinder 6 plug had this crystallization all in it and I have no idea what it is. I'm assuming the cylinder is full of it and that its stopping the piston from getting to TDC. Anyone ever seen something like what's in the picture and have any idea what I could do?
Did it have antifreeze in it? And enough to handle -30?
As for your question, I've never seen that before and I've been a tech for over 20 years so I've seen a ton of spark plugs. Super weird deal there.
Is it still below freezing there? It may be ice.
As for your question, I've never seen that before and I've been a tech for over 20 years so I've seen a ton of spark plugs. Super weird deal there.
Is it still below freezing there? It may be ice.
TECH Junkie
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,202
Likes: 1,390
From: Nitro Alley
That would be some classic "DEX-COOL" Fun time action going on... LMAO!
I HATE "DEX_COOL"!
I have seen this so many times... usually with intake manifold gasket leaks on GEN1 SBC, Chevy V6, and Buick V6 engines.
It also happens on most any engine with a head gasket failure when only a coolant passage at the deck surface is leaking.
I HATE "DEX_COOL"!
I have seen this so many times... usually with intake manifold gasket leaks on GEN1 SBC, Chevy V6, and Buick V6 engines.
It also happens on most any engine with a head gasket failure when only a coolant passage at the deck surface is leaking.
Last edited by vorteciroc; Mar 6, 2019 at 05:19 PM.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: IL
The car did have dexcool in it over the winter and none of the freeze plugs popped so I didnt really think it would be a coolant issue. Plus it has a brand new head gasket so that makes me worried about the block or head cracking so I guess I just have to pull the head and find out how bad the damage is.
TECH Junkie
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,202
Likes: 1,390
From: Nitro Alley
Nah... That is very typical of that DEX-COOL junk...
Just GOOGLE: dexcool and crystallized...
We had thousands of internal documents at General Motors about all kinds of unusual dexcool reactions, from sludge to crystals like shown (usually pinkish).
Just GOOGLE: dexcool and crystallized...
We had thousands of internal documents at General Motors about all kinds of unusual dexcool reactions, from sludge to crystals like shown (usually pinkish).
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The car did have dexcool in it over the winter and none of the freeze plugs popped so I didnt really think it would be a coolant issue. Plus it has a brand new head gasket so that makes me worried about the block or head cracking so I guess I just have to pull the head and find out how bad the damage is.
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TECH Addict
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,628
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Because its not colored like dexcool maybe something else happened. Possible the exhaust valve was open and the ethanol in the fuel reacted with the atmosphere getting into the cylinder through the open valve. Probably best to pull the head off or you could scope it and look around, maybe get some more out.
Cylinder head after free spun on a dyno. Bad news...
Here is a good one to add to this post. Here's a picture of my cylinder head after a speed shop got it on a dyno and free spun it. Yes, I got all kinds of neat stuff inside my engine as well as nice brown milky oil... New cylinder heads now and working out the details. Need new 0'2 sensors and hope to have my car back on the road after a 7 year break.
TECH Addict
Joined: Oct 2016
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From: PDX-OR-USA
Those crystals look a lot like Alcohol fouling. Happens when fuel is allowed to evaporate or go stale..
The crystals can grow off plugs when certain metals (Especially the stuff they are using in plugs these days)
react with the fuel blend.
Methanol motors can do this really badly,, thats why I say it look like a alcohol reaction.. many options there..
I'd do the marvel oil,, spin with no plugs, and a leak down..
Watch for bubbles in the coolant while your pressurizing each cylinder.
The crystals can grow off plugs when certain metals (Especially the stuff they are using in plugs these days)
react with the fuel blend.
Methanol motors can do this really badly,, thats why I say it look like a alcohol reaction.. many options there..
I'd do the marvel oil,, spin with no plugs, and a leak down..
Watch for bubbles in the coolant while your pressurizing each cylinder.
Originally Posted by rednari2
It looks like you have an enemy. Is it sand or some other silica material?